Dream: a strongly desired goal or purpose
Orange Blossom Dreams compiles memories about Enayat, Ezzat and Roya told from the perspective of their immediate families. A space that weaves together the significance of the website's name, memorable stories and the lives behind it.
Orange blossoms played a poignant role in this narrative. It stems from Ezzat’s love and adoration for the sweet-smelling flowers that would bloom in the springtime.
One evening in Kazeroon, a city in southern Iran, the family was walking home when the fragrance of orange blossoms filled the air. It was then that Ezzat commented "Heaven must smell just like this."
Some years later, while imprisoned, she had brief weekly visits with her youngest daughter Rozita, separated by a thick glass barrier. During one of these visits, she asks Rozita about the orange blossoms:
“Have the orange tree blossoms appeared?”
I said, yes Mamman, you are missed, and their fragrance has filled the air. Then she told me to enjoy these beautiful scenes of nature and she started to cry.
The paradox between the orange blossoms unfolding before their eyes and Ezzat's imprisonment (alongside Roya and Enayat) was a profound and painful realisation for her other children.
Inextricably linked to this story is the name Roya, which translates to "Dream" in Farsi. Roya, a young woman in the prime of her life, had numerous dreams one of which was to become a veterinarian.
Just as orange blossoms come and go with the seasons and the passage of time, dreams too possess a fleeting nature. Yet, within this virtual space we call Orange Blossom Dreams, we hope to honour their lives, their hopes and preserve the essence of their dreams
A glimpse into their dreams, their hopes and their nature
The best way to truly know someone is through direct connection. The shared experiences, conversations, and moments build a foundation of understanding and familiarity. In the absence of personal interactions, we rely on the memories of their lives that have been treasured through the years.
For many of us, it is only through the first-hand accounts of other immediate family members, stories and letters that we get a glimpse of who these three souls were.
We also gain insight into their personal conviction and the state of mind they held during an unimaginable situation. These narratives reflect their resilience, their dreams, the courage they displayed in the face of adversity and standing up for their beliefs.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of remembrance where orange blossoms and dreams intertwine to create a tapestry of moments that transcend the boundaries of time.
